Ngā kaikōrero
Speakers
Our lineup of speakers brings a diverse range of expertise to SuperLocal, each ready to share valuable insights and strategies for delivering locally and building stronger, more resilient communities. From experienced politicians and policymakers to international and national localists, our speakers embody the best of local government. They’ll address pressing issues such as economic growth, infrastructure, resilience and sustainability.
Speakers >
John Allen
John Allen is Chief Executive of WellingtonNZ, the Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency and Chancellor at Victoria University Wellington - Te Herenga Waka.
Sarah Baddeley
Sarah Baddeley is a Partner and Board member at MartinJenkins. Known for tackling complex problems, she offers strategic insights and practical solutions.
Anita Baker
Anita Baker is the dynamic mayor of Porirua known for her proactive approach and a knack for getting things done.
Bayden Barber
Bayden Barber is a proud resident of Waimārama, Hawke’s Bay. His iwi affiliations are Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāpuhi and Ngāi Tahu.
Campbell Barry
Campbell Barry is in his second term as the mayor of Lower Hutt. He was first elected to the role in 2019, making history as New Zealand’s youngest ever elected Mayor of a city at 28.
Hon Chris Bishop
Chris Bishop is the Minister of Housing, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Minister for Sport and Recreation, Leader of the House, and Associate Minister of Finance.
Andrea Black
Andrea is a critical thinker across a broad range of disciplines. Her particular expertise is in financial and economic analysis.
Gillian Blythe
Gillian Blythe joined Water New Zealand in July 2020, and during this time she and the team have increased membership numbers by more than 50% and are seen as the trusted industry voice on water matters in New Zealand.
Helen Bowie
Helen is a Consultant at Chapman Tripp with over 40 years of experience in commercial and public law, including 20 years as a partner.
Toni Boynton
Toni Boynton is a passionate advocate for Māori empowerment and community wellbeing.
Sam Broughton
Sam Broughton is the president of LGNZ and the mayor of Selwyn District Council, New Zealand's fastest-growing area.
Hon Simeon Brown
Simeon Brown is the Minister for Energy, Minister of Local Government, Minister of Transport, Minister for Auckland and Deputy Leader of the House.
Amanda Bryan
Amanda Bryan has 20 years of consulting experience and is a qualified building scientist with expertise in governance, holistic sustainability, and building performance modelling.
Chris Bunny
Chris joined NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi in March 2023.
Joe Caccioppoli
Joe Caccioppoli is a dynamic business leader with over 25 years in marketing, technology, and finance.
Josh Cairns
Josh Cairns leads the firm's banking and finance national practice group.
Jamie Cleine
Jamie Cleine is Mayor of Buller District Council, a role he has held since 2019.
Nicole Coughlin
Nicole Coughlin is an award-winning technology executive who serves as the chief information officer for Cary, North Carolina.
Matt Cowley
Matt Cowley is a rising star in New Zealand's business circles. Serving as Chief Executive of the Tauranga Business Chamber and Executive Director of the New Zealand Chambers of Commerce.
Alex Crackett
Alex's journey into local government is fuelled by a genuine desire to give back and ensure every voice is heard.
Iaean Cranwell
Iaean (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Irakehu, Kāti Kuri, Kāti Makō) currently serves as the co-chair of Te Maruata and is a representative on LGNZ’s National Council.
Dr Belinda Cridge
Belinda Cridge serves as the Technical Lead for Drinking Water Quality and Education at Water New Zealand. In her role, she is responsible for supporting drinking water initiatives and overseeing the Water New Zealand education programmes.
Dr. Anne Cunningham
Anne is an engagement specialist with over 25 years of experience in the research, design and delivery of public participation processes and practices in the context of urban and rural planning, landscape architecture and public place/ landscape governance.
Richard de Cani
Richard de Cani has a keen focus on the future of cities and the role of infrastructure in helping to drive change and deliver positive outcomes.
Susan Freeman-Greene
Susan Freeman-Greene leads LGNZ and its drive to advocate, connect and support our members.
Richard Fry
Richard Fry is a practical innovator who excels in turning ideas into solutions that enhance customer experience and drive business growth.
Digby Hall
Digby Hall is an architect, advisor, scholar and entrepreneur working at the forefront of positive climate adaptation.
Dr Oliver Hartwich
Oliver is the Executive Director of The New Zealand Initiative.
Kim Hill - MC
Kim Hill is a renowned New Zealand broadcaster. Originally from Shropshire, England, Kim was just 15 when the family arrived in Otorohanga.
Rt Hon Chris Hipkins
Chris Hipkins, ‘Chippy,’ is the Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party and Member of Parliament for Remutaka.
Stacey Hitchcock
Stacey Hitchcock, a proud Taranaki local, brings a wealth of experience to the table. Over the past two decades, she's worn many hats, serving in leadership and governance capacities including serving two terms as a New Plymouth District councillor.
Camden Howitt
Camden is a senior manager in the PwC Sustainability, Climate and Nature team, with a background in community conservation.
Hon Shane Jones
Shane Jones is the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Resources, Associate Minister of Finance, and Associate Minister for Energy.
Charlotte Littlewood
Charlotte is the Chair of the Taranaki Regional Council, a director of Port Taranaki, where she chairs the Health, Safety and Environment Governance Committee, and Co-Chair of the Taranaki Skills Group.
Cushla Loomb
Cushla is a Technical Fellow – Climate Risk and Adaptation and leads Beca’s Climate risk and resilience business.
Sally Loudon OBE
Recently retired former Chief Executive of COSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities), Sally had a particular interest in local government being in its rightful place in the governance of Scotland with a focus on relationships and partnerships.
Sarah Lucas
Sarah Lucas stood for a community board role because she knows local government can make a big difference in people's lives.
Rt Hon Christopher Luxon
Christopher Luxon is the 42nd Prime Minister of New Zealand. He is also the Minister for National Security and Intelligence and the Minister Responsible for Ministerial Services.
Deanna Macdonald
Deanna Macdonald serves as the National Client Relationship Manager (Potakawaenga) for Aon New Zealand’s Local Government Risk Practice, based in Hamilton.
Cameron Martyn
Cameron leads Boffa Miskell’s transport advisory services. His experience in providing strategic project planning and implementation support for a range of clients has given him a thorough understanding of the complexities of public-sector project planning and delivery.
Anna Mitchell
Anna Mitchell is the Executive General Manager of Fibre Frontier at Chorus. She leads a team focused on expanding the fibre network and phasing out the copper network in rural areas.
David Norman
David Norman is the Chief Economist for Australia and New Zealand at GHD. Previously, he was Chief Economist at Auckland Council, where he provided impartial advice on various issues, including housing, zoning, Easter trading bylaws, development incentives, and COVID recovery.
Peter Nunns
Peter Nunns leads the charge to enhance New Zealand's infrastructure as the Director of Economics at the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga.
Rohan O’Neill Stevens
Rohan O’Neill-Stevens is a politician, activist, resource management commissioner, and campaigner.
Kira Oldfield
Kira is masterful at translating complex issues into compelling visual narratives, while also being accomplished with words and numbers.
Jemarl Paerata
After nearly two decades as a firefighter, Jemarl Paerata, the founder of Te Kaiarahi, felt a calling to give back even more to his community.
Sam Parsons
Sam is a climate change adaptation specialist with experience in climate change impact assessment, dynamic adaptation planning, and delivery across New Zealand Government and the private sector.
Jean-Luc Payan
Jean-Luc is the manager of the Natural Hazards Team at the Otago Regional Council.
Daran Ponter
Daran Ponter is the Chair of Greater Wellington Regional Council, a role he has held since 2019.
Rawiri Richmond
Rawiri Richmond is the Kaihautū Manaaki Whenua at Te Wānanga o Raukawa in Ōtaki — a pioneering wānanga dedicated to revitalising Māori language, culture, and traditions.
Jonathan Rowe
Jonathan is the Programme Manager for South Dunedin Future, a joint initiative between the Dunedin City Council and Otago Regional Council to develop a climate change adaptation plan for the low-lying and flood affected South Dunedin.
Jonathan Salter
Jonathan is New Zealand’s foremost expert on local government structures, powers, and funding, bringing 35 years of experience in navigating major reforms and complex projects.
Anne Marie Spicer
Originally from London and now residing in Hauraki, Anne Marie was motivated to run for Council after working with a divided local community to successfully secure a fairer deal from the Mine for those residents living close to new underground mining activities in the Waihi area.
Craig Stobo
Craig Stobo is an experienced business leader and director. He's held diverse roles, from diplomat and economist to chief investment officer and chief executive, amassing a wealth of knowledge along the way.
Nicola Swan
Nicola is a Partner in Chapman Tripp’s Dispute Resolution and Climate Risk practices in Wellington, with a strong focus on climate change risk and reporting.
Alan Thorp
Alan is the Group CEO of Habitat for Humanity New Zealand. He joined the organisation in 2007 as the CFO and has been the Group CEO for the last 4 years. Alan is a Chartered Accountant and also holds a Master of Theology.
Tony Tilbrook
Tony Tilbrook is a strategic leader with over 25 years of experience in wireless technology.
Justin Tipa
Justin Tipa (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mamoe) is the elected Kaiwhakahaere (Chairperson) of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.
Mike Wakefield
Mike Wakefield is a partner in Simpson Grierson’s Planning and Environment group based in Pōneke Wellington.
Leeann Watson
Leeann Watson is the dynamic Chief Executive of Business Canterbury and a raving local enthusiast for the city, region and business community.
Hon Simon Watts
Simon Watts was elected as the Member of Parliament for North Shore in the 2020 election. He is the Minister of Climate Change and Minister of Revenue.
Tory Whanau
Tory is Pōneke’s first wahine Māori mayor. From Pātea in South Taranaki, she is of Pakakohi and Ngā Ruahine descent.
Meg Williams
Meg Williams is the chief executive of World of WearableArt, the world’s most prestigious wearable art competition featuring the iconic annual WOW show in Wellington that attracts over 60,000 people each year and delivered $30 million to the regional economy in 2023.
Matthew Wilson
Matthew Wilson is the National Manager for Aon New Zealand’s Local Government Risk Practice Group, based in Hamilton.
Kate Wilson Butler
Kate Wilson leads Chapman Tripp's Climate, Sustainability & ESG advisory, focusing on climate and ESG policy, law, and strategy.
Nicci Wood
Nicci Wood has over 20 years’ experience in providing technical advice on national, regional and local public infrastructure related planning, strategy and policy.
Matthew Yarnell
Matt Yarnell heads Chapman Tripp's public sector group and co-heads its Wellington commercial contracting team.
Robert Zagarella
Rob Zagarella is a pioneering figure in the Internet of Things (IoT), specialising in machine-to-machine sensing, communications, wide area networking, and enterprise software.
Mark Boniface
Mark leads the decarbonisation team at Mott MacDonald. He collaborates with client's and asset owners to understand the impact of carbon emissions and plot reduction pathways.
Steve Kane
Steve Kane is the General Manager of Industry Practice Groups for Aon New Zealand, with a strong focus on local government.
David Taylor
David Taylor is the account leader for Smart Water, strategic planning, hydraulic modelling and network insights at Mott Macdonald.